Time for another rescue hound - but now we've got kids, the chances we'll get one are low!

[GayByrne]

We lost our beloved rescue hound (RSPCA) recently - we had him for nearly 10 years, well before the kids!

Anyway, we're looking at getting another one as we're a great home for a dog. However, the kids are 2, 4 and 6 in May...they are chilled kids having had our love since before they were born and are not excited about dogs, don't mither them etc.

I've been in touch with the RSPCA and Dogs' Trust and they have both said it'll be hard to place a dog with a family like ours.

I really want to rehome a dog - we got our love when he was 7 so we're happy to do that again. Whatever type/size - it's all about personality.

Is there any chance we'll be able to get another rescue dog? I believe there are enough of them in the world wanting a home and don't want to buy a puppy because of this - but will we have to?

He's lovely although I secretly feel that all beagles should be called Jeremy.

Lovely that he is fitting in with the kids - I bet they're thrilled.

S just done a big msg and lost it.

Right, here we go again!!

Thank you all for your replies.

I need some advice. Last night he was unsettled in bed, I was with him in the spare room and had I been more awake I'd have realised he needed out. Anyway, he poo'd all over the floor. Completely my fault, I cleaned it up and took him downstairs.

He slept downstairs at his foster home but that was with other dogs. Beagles are obviously pack hounds but the shelter believe that he'll manage without another dog in the home as he is confident. And he really is, he's a complete dote and we're mad about him.

Anyway, there was much pacing from him, baying and he tipped the recycling bin (I'd take the other into the utility). Husband got fucked off (by this point I was back in my own bed as the smell in the spare room mad me sick). So I came downstairs and slept on the couch with him at my feet. He completely settled with company and slept all night - well, the remaining 3 hours!

We've not left him alone yet but there will come a time when he will have to be. We don't want him to sleep in the bedroom and I can't move into the spare room permanently! Can you guys give me some advice with regards to getting him to be happy to sleep downstairs without stress?

Thank you for your time and here are a couple of pics for you!!

(copying the post now...).

pics

Actually, I think that if he sleeps in his bed in the bedroom with us, husband might 'allow' that. He's not keen on animals being in the room with us...esp when he wants to, erm, get jiggy with it!

How do you think we should go about getting him used to being alone? It's never going to be for long, but it will have to happen. Obviously, I'm talking about the future, he's going to get a lot of patience from us for the first 6 months or so here. Such a lot for him to take in, piano; electric toothbrushes; DS1's robot; food processor; whizzers and I've not ever had the hoover out yet!!

Actually, just had carpet cleaner out and he's fine with it...

Some dogs seem to like a cosy den made from a crate or under a table with tons of blankets etc? Maybe he'd be ok downstairs on that if let out very late and very early? Could leave the door to any crate open, just a place to pile up fleece blankets til it is dog heaven and no drafts!

I would recommend getting him used to being left asap, ideally from day 1, so he doesn't associate your house as being somewhere where he always have a human next to him! Start really slowly. Leave the room no fuss, and close the door. Immediately open it and no fuss, just go about business. Do this lots of times. If he is totally chilled about it, do it for longer (10 secs, 1 minute, 5 minutes) and build up very gradually over the next few weeks. I must have closed and opened the door on my 6-month rescue (also had always been with other dogs) about 30 times over his first day, DH thought I was mad! Leave the room with zero fuss, and go back in with no fuss so he knows that being left alone is no big deal.

Hi op, yes there is hope. We got our rescue dogs from an rspca home when our kids were 2, 4 and 7. The dogs were used to children and they have been great. Good luck!

Wow, that moved so quickly!
Can I ask about the checks that Many Tears do? I applied for a dog a couple of days ago thinking the process would take ages, but was turned down temporarily as we can't pick up until half term - they said 3-5 days from start to finish (if the dog is still there they said they would reactivate the application the week before half term).
What do they do between applying and collecting the dog?
Thank you!!

We've just been passed by the RSPCA & our boys are 2 and 4. I think you just have to be careful about which dog you have. Dogs Trust were ok about the DCs ages too.

Oops I see I'm a bit late to the party!

Oh gear 321 - which animal did you apply for?

I think they can't put that dog as reserved for that long because it's effectively taking him off the market for other interested parties. You could change your mind and other potential adopters might have moved on in the meantime.

Our hound is really doing so well. He slept well last night (unlike my youngest, yuck) and we've had some fab cuddles. He's such a snuggle bum!!

Yes it does make sense - I just didn't imagine they could turn it round in that time!
Did you have a home check?
It was Dice we were looking at - he disappeared from the site for a couple of days but is back on now! Fingers crossed he stays there for another 10 days!
Lovely to hear yours is settling in so well.